The Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) encourages all healthy, Durant-area residents, age 17 and older, to feel fantastic by giving blood from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 and Thursday, Nov. 12 at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 1405 North 4th Ave.

All donors will receive their choice of a free blood donor T-shirt, along with free health screenings and Members for Life points to redeem at OBI’s online store.

“Our mission is to provide the safest and highest quality blood, services and health programs to the patients and communities we serve,” said John Armitage, M.D., Oklahoma Blood Institute president and CEO. “We appreciate the people of Durant by helping us achieve this mission by taking one hour out of their day to save a life.”

Patients in Oklahoma hospitals, including Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant, have needs every single day, whether it’s for scheduled treatments or emergencies.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate in the Southeastern Oklahoma State University blood drive, contact Stephanie Howeth at (580) 745-3197.

Oklahoma Blood Institute is the eleventh largest, non-profit blood center in America. In 2008, more than 127,000 donors provided blood used for transfusion and associated clinical services in more than 150 medical facilities in Oklahoma and north central Texas. OBI employs nearly 700 Oklahomans and works with an estimated 800 volunteers and 2,600 drive coordinators.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood at any OBI site, call toll-free (877) 340-8777, or visit www.obi.org for a list of blood drives and donor centers in your area.